Gardening doesn’t have to be expensive. Honestly, some of my most-loved tools weren’t even bought as gardening tools they were things lying around the house or super cheap little finds from Amazon.
I started using them because I was on a tight budget, and now? I actually prefer them over fancy gardening gear.
Here are the 10 inexpensive items that make my gardening life easier, cleaner, and surprisingly more fun all based on real personal experience.
1. Spray Bottles (For Misting, Feeding, and Gentle Watering)
I honestly can’t live without spray bottles anymore.
I use them for EVERYTHING: misting seedlings, applying neem oil, feeding plants with diluted fertilizer, and even refreshing humidity-loving plants.
How I Use It
- Fill with water for gentle daily misting
- Add diluted fertilizer for foliar feeding
- Mix neem oil + soap + water for pest control
- Use for seedlings that can’t handle strong watering streams
Easy Amazon Supplies
- Bar5F Fine Mist Spray Bottles
- Uineko Plastic Spray Bottles (4-pack)
2. Plastic Food Containers (Perfect Mini Greenhouses)
You know those clear takeout or salad containers? They’re basically free mini-greenhouses.
When I first tried this, my seeds sprouted twice as fast because of the trapped humidity.
How I Use It
- Add seed-starting soil
- Sprinkle seeds
- Close the lid to trap moisture
- Open daily for a few minutes to avoid mold
Easy Amazon Supplies
- Freshware Multi-Use Clear Plastic Containers
- DuraHome Reusable Deli Containers
3. Wooden Skewers (Plant Labels + Tiny Support Sticks)
This one surprised me.
Skewers are perfect for labeling plants, supporting tiny seedlings, and even training vines.
How I Use It
- Stick them in the soil as label holders
- Tie baby plants to them using thread
- Use them to train tomato or pepper seedlings
Easy Amazon Supplies
- Royal 6-Inch Bamboo Skewers
- Norpro 100-Pack Wooden Skewers
4. Mesh Laundry Bags (For Protecting Fruits & Plants)
This is one of my favorite hacks! When insects kept attacking my tomatoes, I slipped small laundry bags over the clusters, and it worked like magic.
How I Use It
- Cover tomato clusters
- Protect strawberries from birds
- Use over herbs when drying them
Easy Amazon Supplies
- Whitmor Mesh Laundry Bags
- BAGAIL Mesh Laundry Bags (Set of 5)
5. Silicone Baking Cups (Reusable Seed Starters)
These are gentle, flexible, and easy to clean.
I started using them when I ran out of nursery pots and they quickly became a staple.
How I Use It
- Fill with potting soil and sow seeds
- Pop seedlings out easily without damaging roots
- Wash and reuse endlessly
Easy Amazon Supplies
- OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups
- Amazon Basics Reusable Silicone Cups
6. Tea Strainers (For Homemade Compost Tea)
I make a lot of “plant teas” banana water, compost tea, eggshell water. A simple tea strainer keeps things from getting messy.
How I Use It
- Strain banana peel water
- Filter compost tea before spraying
- Remove particles so spray bottles don’t clog
Easy Amazon Supplies
- OXO Good Grips Fine Mesh Strainer
- Hiware 3-Pack Stainless Tea Strainers
7. Ziplock Bags (Humidity Domes + Herb Storage)
This sounds too simple, but Ziplock bags changed the way I propagate plants.
How I Use It
- Create humidity domes for cuttings
- Keep herbs fresh after harvesting
- Store seed packets to prevent moisture
Easy Amazon Supplies
- Ziploc Storage Bags Variety Pack
- Solimo (Amazon Brand) Resealable Bags
8. Measuring Spoons (For Fertilizers & Soil Mixes)
I used to “eyeball” fertilizer amounts and let’s just say my plants were NOT impressed.
Now I use measuring spoons like a grown woman with her life together.
How I Use It
- Measure fertilizer to avoid burning plants
- Scoop precise amounts of soil amendments
- Mix neem solution correctly
Easy Amazon Supplies
- OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Spring Chef Magnetic Measuring Spoons
9. Small Makeup Brushes (For Pollinating Flowers!)
This feels so feminine and fun using a makeup brush to pollinate small flowers like tomatoes, peppers, or indoor fruiting plants.
How I Use It
- Dab gently inside each flower
- Move pollen between blossoms
- Works great when you grow indoors
Easy Amazon Supplies
- EcoTools Mini Makeup Brush Set
- Real Techniques Small Detail Brush
10. Ice Cube Trays (Perfect Soil Block Makers)
This one is brilliant for small seed-starting. Ice cube trays make tidy, cute mini soil blocks.
How I Use It
- Press soil into the tray
- Pop out little cubes
- Plant seeds in each cube
- Transfer them straight into pots later
Easy Amazon Supplies
- OMorc Silicone Ice Cube Trays
- DOQAUS Ice Cube Trays with Lids
Final Thoughts
Gardening doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Some of the most useful tools I own cost less than a cup of coffee or were things I already had tucked away in my kitchen drawers.
With a bit of creativity (and a little Amazon browsing), you can build your entire gardening setup affordably and beautifully.